Legacy of George W. Bush: "Am I saying this right?"
When I see and hear George W. Bush talk about sports, his face lights up, his eyes shine, and his words are confident, informed and sure. When I see and hear George W. Bush talk about politics, his face looks puzzled and his eyes read, "Am I saying this right?"
Bush has been characterized as stupid. I don't believe that's true. The evidence indicates that his overall IQ is significantly above average, meaning he's smarter than most of the people who voted for him.
But my IQ is significantly above average, and in some areas I am stupid. Anyone who hired me to be an auto mechanic would be a fool.
I'm obviously not alone in believing that Bush, supposedly independent captain of the ship of state, has actually been a puppet of others. Many reporters have called Karl Rove, Bush's advisor since before he was elected Texas governor, "Bush's Brain." There's even a book named Bush's Brain: How Karl Rove Made George W. Bush Presidential, and a documentary called Bush's Brain.
But that doesn't answer the question: why did Bush change? What happened that changed a more moderate governor into an extremist president? Was it the pressure of the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, or was that a convenient opportunity for Bush--or his handlers--to move into an already existing secret agenda?
Right now we don't know. Rove abandoned the sinking ship, and in a few short days Bush and Cheney will leave it too. Barack Obama will take the helm, and will prove to be not as great as his most fanatical supporters believe, nor as bad as his strongest detractors fear.
The future will, of course, have its own view of our time and place. But, barring unforseen temporal technology, there's much about this current administration that we will never know.
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This entry originally appeared at http://fray.slate.com/discuss/forums/2318550/ShowThread.aspx?ArticleID=2204488#2318550 The photo of President George W. Bush and Karl Rove (behind the presidential podium) was taken on Rove's resignation on 13 August 2007 by White House photographer Joyce N. Boghosian.
Comments
President Bush is not a puppet. I never saw any strings. Did you? He's actually an animatronic robot. Get your facts straight.
Posted by: Mad Greg | January 16, 2009 01:30 AM
I think you said it all. Karl Rove is behind the presidential podium.
Posted by: Smart Gina | January 16, 2009 07:39 PM
Whether you like President Bush or not, he is the president, and deserves our respect. The Bible tells us to pray for our leaders. It doesn't say to only pray for those you like.
Posted by: Christian Andy | January 17, 2009 07:10 PM
Poor, poor Bush. I feel sorry for the man. What will he be remembered for as president? The economy? Civil Rights? Peace in the Middle East? Poor man should have stayed with his sports teams.
Posted by: TawTew the Naturally Perfumed | January 18, 2009 05:24 AM
Hey look I'm Pinnochio!
Posted by: Gary | January 18, 2009 01:52 PM
The only brain Bush has he keeps in a jar by the door.
Posted by: Righteous to the Last Drop | January 20, 2009 12:59 AM
A miracle happened today. The United States of America survived eight years of George W. Bush.
Posted by: Greta Garbanzo | January 21, 2009 03:17 AM
BUSH IS GONE!
Posted by: BUSH IS GONE | January 21, 2009 07:47 PM
I think you hit the nail on the head. Too bad more peeps didn't realize that eight years ago.
Posted by: Hot Come and Get It | February 8, 2009 09:53 PM